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2. Colo.
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A recent study reveals a staggering and underreported climate threat: data centers can raise localized temperatures by as much as 16°F. We are facing an unsustainable environmental and utility crisis driven by the uncontrolled expansion of high-density data centers. As 2026 sets record-breaking temperatures, the proliferation of these facilities is pushing our infrastructure and climate to a breaking point. The study "The data heat island effect: quantifying the impact of AI data centers in a warming world," reveals that these facilities do more than just consume electricity; they create intense localized "heat islands." This thermal discharge is being pumped into an atmosphere already oscillating near the critical +1.5°C warming threshold. Rapidly growing power demand from data centers often forces a reliance on high-emission energy sources. This surge threatens the reliability of the local grid for residents while driving the very warming trends we are experiencing. These facilities consume millions of gallons of water daily for cooling, threatening local water security during the severe hydrological variability projected for 2026. This year is on track to be one of the hottest on record. Adding industrial-scale thermal discharge into our neighborhoods during extreme heatwaves is a direct threat to public health and safety. We cannot continue to prioritize rapid digital expansion at the expense of our local environment and climate goals. We must stop the approval of new data centers until the full impact of their thermal and energy footprints is understood and mitigated.